Cobb-based Genuine Parts Co., an auto and industrial parts distributor, it has agreed to buy the remaining 70 percent stake in Exego Group for about $800 million, boosting its presence inAustralia. Genuine Parts bought a 30 percent stake in Exego, an aftermarket distributor of automotive replacement parts and accessories, last year and had an option to buy the rest of the company. The deal price includes the assumption of certain debt, Genuine Parts said. Genuine Parts said it expects to finance the rest of the purchase using a combination of cash and debt. As of press time, the deal was expected to close April 1. The Australia-based company was founded in 1922 and posts annual revenue of more than $1 billion. It operates more than 430 company-owned stores acrossAustraliaandNew Zealand.

Contractor set to expand

Jasper Contractors Inc., based in Kennesaw, is expanding its residential and commercial roof replacement services to include new construction services. In conjunction with the expansion in services, the company will be hiring employees in its Kennesaw office.

Dealer to sell electric vehicles

Wade Ford, located at3860 South Cobb Drive SoutheastinSmyrna, is one of 900 Ford dealers nationally to become certified to sell plug-in electrified vehicles.

KSU’s Edge Connection gets $20K

Through its seventh annual Building Community Network program, The Home Depot Foundation has awarded $20,000 to The Edge Connection, a 501(c)3 micro business development center housed atKennesawStateUniversity. The donation will be used to match existing grants that will enhance program services, job creation, and business growth.

The Edge Connection has served more than 2,700 clients with more than 77,935 hours of training/consultation. In 2011, The Home Depot Foundation committed $30 million over three years to nonprofit organizations dedicated to improving the homes of economically disadvantaged veterans.

Kennesaw firm earns award

Kennesaw-based telecommunications consulting firm Elite Telecom Services has been selected as one of 25 companies from across the nation to be awarded with an inaugural Channel Partners 360 Award.

WellStar program is 20

WellStar Health System is celebrating the 20th anniversary of WellStar’s Sleep Medicine Program.

Sleep centers are located at WellStar Douglas, Paulding andWindyHillHospitalsand theWellStarAcworthHealthPark. The Sleep Medicine program now offers home sleep testing and plans to open two additional sleep centers atSouthCherokeeMedicalCenterinWoodstockand at the newEastCobbHealthPark.

Stores renovating at mall

Bath & Body Works and Victoria’s Secret at Town Center at Cobb will both undergo renovations to open their brands’ prototype stores later this year. Additionally, Bachrach men’s clothing and Victoria’s Secret PINK will also open, and Select Comfort is relocating to a larger storefront.

Marietta Visitors Bureau launches app

Information about Marietta is now at your fingertips. The Marietta Visitors Bureau has launched the new Visit Marietta Square App for iPhone, iPad, and Android users.

The app is free to download and allows visitors and residents to exploreMariettaincluding dining, attractions, lodging, events and more.

The Visit Marietta Square App makes it easy to enjoy all that Mariettahas to offer.

Turn your Smartphone or mobile device into a personal tour guide. Download the App on your iPhone or iPad through the App Store, or on Google Play for Android devices.

The app’s Connect feature provides up-to-date information on various events and happenings taking place in the area, and allows users to stay connected with the Marietta Visitors Bureau on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and online at www.mariettasquare.com.

Visit the Marietta Visitors Bureau at the Visito Center,4 Depot St., in Marietta(just off the Marietta Square) or call (770) 429-1115.

The firm and its 28 attorneys are also pleased to announce the admission of two new members: Randall C. Farmer and Aric M. Kline.

Company gets top ranking

SERVPRO, the cleanup and restoration franchise company, was named No. 1 in the cleanup and restoration industry for the 10th consecutive year in the Entrepreneur Franchise 500 rankings.

Tavern labeled as ‘breakout’

Nation’s Restaurant News named Marlow’s Tavern as one of the its “Breakout Brands” for 2013.

First Watch opens restaurant

First Watch has opened a 3,031-square-foot breakfast, brunch and lunch restaurant at1675 Cumberland ParkwayinSmyrna, in the former J. Christopher’s space at the Ivy Walk shopping center.

This is the second location of 20 planned restaurants in metroAtlanta. The menu features fresh-to-order traditional favorites and specialty items using cage-free eggs, all-natural chicken and organic yogurt as well as locally sourced fruits and vegetables.

$678,000 set for landscaping

The Town Center Area Community Improvement District will spend $678,000 on design, implementation and monthly maintenance for landscape beautification in 2013.

Trees and plants in the Town Center area are currently being planted, and when I-575 and Barrett Parkway improvements are completed in July, landscaping will begin on the I-575 north and southbound islands, as well as on the corners on Barrett Parkway. In addition, the group has budgeted $795,000 for infrastructure improvements in 2013.

Novelis Inc., leading producer of aluminum rolled products, reported net income attributable to its common shareholder of $3 million for the third quarter. Excluding tax-affected restructuring in both periods, net income for the third quarter was $8 million, compared to a net loss of $11 million for the same period one year ago.

Adjusted EBITDA was $185 million for the third quarter, compared to $213 million reported for the same period one year prior.

Additionally, the company reported liquidity of $775 million.

Churchill Mortgage opens

Churchill Mortgage has opened a Georgiaoffice at 3330 Cumberland Blvd., Suite 500. The office will be led by Johnny Meany, David Carr and Jennifer Coe.

Austell lands Firehouse Subs

Smyrn aresident and franchise owner Mike Bullard opened a Firehouse Subs located at 2860-2 East-West Connector in Austell in the Austell Promenade.

The UPS Store Cumberland Galleria has relocated to 2690 Cobb Parkway in Smyrna, to the Cumberland Marketplace Center.

Mopdog gets creative award

Mopdog Creative + Strategy has been awarded “The So Kind for In-Kind Award” presented by The Center for Family Resources, an award recognizing Mopdog for providing creative work to The CFR.

Executives honor WellStar

The National Association for Female Executives named WellStar Health System as one of the “2013 NAFE Top 10 Nonprofit Companies for Executive Women.”

Dominium buys Parkland Manor

Dominium, a leading apartment development and management company, announced the acquisition of Parkland Manor in Austell.

Built in 2007, Parkland Manor is a 150 unit senior housing complex. In addition to acquiring the property, Minneapolis, Minn.-based Dominium will take over as property manager with on-site staff and 24-hour emergency maintenance service. This brings the total number of properties owned or managed by Dominium in Georgia to 10 with 1,203 units throughout the state.

As an independent senior living community, Parkland Manor features a clubhouse with elegant dining and lounge areas for get-togethers, a library, fitness center, shuffleboard and more.

“We are excited to add Parkland Manor to our roster of properties,” said Mark Moorhouse, developer for Dominium. “This picturesque community fits well in our footprint of affordable and beautiful properties through the state ofGeorgia.”

Mize opens new Smyrna firm

Smyrna-native Nathan Mize has formed Mize & Mize, a Smyrna-based real estate advisory and consulting business specializing in multifamily, senior housing and commercial real estate development and finance.

Mize is a former associate of international real estate accounting and advisory firm CohnReznick. He was previously a director of multifamily finance programs for the Georgia Housing and Finance Authority.

The Georgia Department of Labor is helping AGC Glass Company fill about 20 production jobs in Cobb County. The company is a manufacturer of glass that is used in homes, commercial businesses, and industrial plants.

The company is conducting an ongoing recruitment each weekday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. through March 22. The recruitment is at the GDOL’s Cobb-Cherokee Career Center, located at 465 Big Shanty Road in Marietta.

For additional information about the recruitments, contact the Cobb-Cherokee Career Center at (770) 528-6100.

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